Method and system of providing information during content breakpoints in a virtual universe

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing information during content breakpoints in a virtual universe. The system comprises a placement engine configured to detect a content breakpoint within a virtual universe, which is defined as at least one of a login process, a logoff process, a teleportation, a wait state, and during any point where a user changes information streams in the virtual universe. The system also comprises an insertion resolution engine configured to create a list of prioritized information to present to a user within the virtual universe and an information definition engine configured to present the prioritized information to the user of the virtual universe during the content breakpoint.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to providing information to one or moreentities and, more specifically, to a system and method for providinginformation during content breakpoints in a virtual universe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A virtual universe (VU) is an interactive simulated environment accessedby multiple users through an online interface. Users inhabit andinteract in the VU via avatars, which are a user's representation ofhimself or herself. These representations can be in the form of athree-dimensional model, a two-dimensional icon, a text construct, auser screen name, etc. Although there are many different types of VUs,there are several features many VUs generally have in common. Thesefeatures include, for example,

-   -   Shared Space: the VU allows many users to participate at once;    -   Graphical User Interface: the VU depicts space visually, ranging        in style from 2D “cartoon” imagery to more immersive 3D        environments;    -   Immediacy: interaction takes place in real time;    -   Interactivity: the VU allows users to alter, develop, build, or        submit customized content;    -   Persistence: the VU's existence continues regardless of whether        individual users are logged in; and    -   Socialization/Community: the VU allows and encourages the        formation of social groups such as teams, guilds, clubs,        cliques, housemates, neighborhoods, etc.

It is beneficial for businesses to reach users with advertisements,announcements, surveys, etc., while the users are participating in a VU.However, it is challenging for businesses to effectively present thisinformation to users because the users are often busy attending tobusiness or social interactions and do not want to be interrupted withadvertisements or extraneous information. In addition to not wanting tobe interrupted, users do not want unattractive advertisements, signs,announcements, etc., to be located throughout the VU landscape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, a system comprises a placementengine configured to detect a content breakpoint within a virtualuniverse, which is defined as at least one of a login process, a logoffprocess, a teleportation, a wait state, and during any point where auser changes information streams in the virtual universe. The systemalso comprises an insertion resolution engine configured to create alist of prioritized information to present to a user of the virtualuniverse and an information definition engine configured to present theprioritized information to the user within the virtual universe duringthe content breakpoint.

In another aspect of the invention, the method comprises detecting abreakpoint, defined as a login process, a logoff process, or ateleportation during a virtual universe session. The method alsocomprises utilizing an insertion resolution engine to create a list ofinformation to present to a user during the breakpoint and presentingone or more pieces of the information to the user during the breakpoint.

In another aspect of the invention, a computer program productcomprising a computer usable medium having readable program codeembodied in the medium is provided. The computer program productincludes at least one component to: detect when a user changesinformation streams in a virtual universe; prioritize information topresent to the user; and present the prioritized information to the userwhen the user changes information streams in the virtual universe.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for deploying anapplication for providing information to users, comprises: providing acomputer infrastructure being operable to: ascertain information todisplay to a user while participating in a virtual universe; prioritizeinformation to display to the user; and display the prioritizedinformation to the user during a login process, a logout process, and/ora teleportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in the detailed description whichfollows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computing infrastructure in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of steps for implementing aspects of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to providing information to one or moreentities and, in particular, to a system and method for providinginformation during content breakpoints in a virtual universe. Morespecifically, the present invention includes a system wherebyinformation is automatically presented to a user when the userencounters a content breakpoint. A content breakpoint can occur, e.g.,when an information stream in a VU changes. Exemplary instances whereininformation streams can change include when a user (i) logs into or outof a VU, (ii) is idle for a period of time, (iii) teleports to adifferent location, etc. The amount of time required for an informationstream to change can last several seconds during which information inthe form of advertisements, announcements, facts, questions,instructions, etc., can be presented to a user.

For example, a user can decide to “teleport” from a first location to asecond location within a VU. During this teleportation, the user isshifted within or between virtual regions, which can take any number ofseconds to complete. While the user is waiting for the transportation tooccur, information such as an advertisement can be presented to theuser. The advertisement may be brief, such as the spoken words, “BuyComputers,” or it may be more lengthy, such as a traditional commercial.Since the user is not engaged in business and/or social interactionswhile waiting for the teleportation to be completed, it is a beneficialtime for businesses to effectively present information to users withinthe VU.

Additionally, the invention also contemplates intelligently providinginformation to users when a user changes information streams in a VU.Intelligent information placements can be presented to a user byanalyzing the location the user's avatar is teleporting from and thelocation the avatar is teleporting to. Additionally, an analysis of anavatar's inventory and/or an avatar's history within a VU may also beused to intelligently present information to a user during contentbreakpoints. Accordingly, by using the invention, it is now possible topresent targeted information to a user during content breakpointsoccurring within a VU.

System Environment

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative environment 10 for managing the processesin accordance with the invention. To this extent, the environment 10includes a server 12 that can perform the processes described herein. Inparticular, the server 12 includes a computing device 14, which may bein the form of a VU server system. The computing device 14 comprises aManagement System 30, which may be embodied as a VU and stored in memory22A. The Management System 30 includes Placement Engine 32, an InsertionResolution Engine 34, an Information Definition Engine 36, a Billing andRemuneration Engine 38, and an Information Buffer Engine 40.

More specifically, the Placement Engine 32 is configured to makecomputing device 14 operable to detect an action that indicates abreakpoint. A breakpoint can occur when an avatar teleports from a firstlocation to a second location via a teleportation system 42. Breakpointscan also occur during a user login process, a logoff process, when anavatar is in a wait state, or during any point wherein the user changesinformation streams in a VU. Once a breakpoint is detected, thePlacement Engine 32 uses information derived by the InformationResolution Engine 34 to present information to a user 16.

The Insertion Resolution Engine 34 makes computing device 14 operable tocreate a list of information that can be presented to a user 16 during acontent breakpoint. The information in the list can includeadvertisements, announcements, facts, questions, instructions, etc.,which can be stored in a storage system 22B.

The nature and content of the information in the list may depend on anynumber of factors that are related to the avatar. For example, inembodiments, the Insertion Resolution Engine 34 can analyze an avatar'steleportation history and create a list of information to present to theuser 16 based on the analyzed information. The Insertion ResolutionEngine 34 can also analyze an avatar's initial location and/or thelocation the avatar is teleporting to in order to provide targetedinformation to an avatar. For example, if a user's avatar teleportsbetween two computer stores, the Insertion Resolution Engine 34 candetermine what information relates to the computer stores and providetargeted information, such as an advertisement for a new hard drive oran announcement for an upcoming computer game, to the user while theuser is teleporting.

The nature and content of the information in a list may also be relatedto, e.g., one or more objects within an avatar's inventory. For example,if an avatar has a MP3 player in inventory then the Insertion ResolutionEngine 34 can determine that the information presented to the usershould include, e.g., accessories for the MP3 player from themanufacturer of the MP3 player. Additionally, the Insertion ResolutionEngine 34 may also be used to analyze an avatar's history of frequentinga specific shop or area within a VU and provide information relating tothe specific shop or area. For example, if an avatar has visited anelectronics store a number of times in the last month, information aboutnew items available at that store, sale items, additional storelocations, etc., can be presented to the user during a contentbreakpoint.

Once the list of information is created, the Insertion Resolution Engine34 can further analyze and prioritize the information in the list. Theprioritizing may be performed using one or more of the factors that wereutilized to create the list, and/or any number of external factors.Exemplary external factors include, for example: the price the businesshas to pay to have the information displayed to the user; the history ofpast information presented to the user; how successful past informationpresented to a user has been; preferences as to the type of informationthe user wants to be presented with, etc.

Information at the top of the prioritized list can be presented to auser via the Information Definition Engine 36, which makes computingdevice 14 operable to define the information presented to a user 16. Theinformation may be presented to the user as text, sounds, words, images,3-D multimedia, video clips, audio clips, etc., via an I/O device 28such as a display equipped with a speaker.

The amount of information presented to a user 16 and the way theinformation is displayed can vary between embodiments. For example,embodiments may present a single piece of information to a user 16during a content breakpoint while other embodiments present multiplepieces of information to a user 16 during a content breakpoint. Thisinformation may be presented consecutively, e.g., a first piece ofinformation is presented for a period of time and is followed by asecond piece of information that is presented for a period of time.Information may also be presented at the same time, e.g., by placingmultiple pieces of information at different locations on a user'sscreen. The presentation of multiple pieces of information may beexpressed as a “tabbed” list of information from which a user can selectany number of pieces of information to view and/or listen. Embodimentsmay also present details on one or more pieces of information so thatthe user 16 can select what information the user wants to view.Additionally, embodiments may present the information to users in apopup window, or in a VU frame in the client window, i.e., not in theprimary VU viewing area but below, above, or beside it. This allowsusers to continue to view at least portions of the VU while informationis displayed during the breakpoint.

Information may be presented to a user throughout an entire contentbreakpoint or any fraction thereof. Embodiments may also continue topresent information to a user after the content breakpoint has ended.For example, a user may be presented with an audio or video clip duringa teleportation and continue to be presented with the clip for a periodof time after the new location is rendered.

The types of information and the format in which the information ispresented during a content breakpoint can vary. For example, all of theinformation presented during a content breakpoint may be in the sameformat, such as an advertisement. Alternatively, the information can bein multiple types of formats, such as advertisements, facts, and/orannouncements, etc. Thus, an advertisement could be presented to a user16 for a period of time, followed by screen containing an announcementabout a fundraiser, facts relating to the fundraiser, and instructionson how to get involved in the fundraiser.

The Insertion Resolution Engine 34 can automatically present informationto a user 16 without requiring any user 16 interaction. However,embodiments of the Insertion Resolution Engine 34 may be proactive andask a user 16 if the user 16 would like to view information on aparticular subject. For example, when a user 16 teleports using theteleportation system 42, the user 16 can be asked, e.g., “Would you liketo hear an advertisement on cameras?”, “Press 1 for an advertisement oncameras; press 2 for an advertisement on avatar clothing.”

After information is presented to a user 16, the Billing andRemuneration Engine 38 is configured to calculate an amount to bill theentity (e.g., business) that is providing the information. A number ofbilling models may be implemented by the invention. For example, abusiness may submit a bid detailing the amount the business will pay forpresenting the information. Another billing model may include “flat”billing, wherein a business pays a set rate per unit time, regardless ofthe number of times their information is viewed within that time period.Data associated with a business's billing model can be representedinside the business's metadata and/or in metadata associated with theinformation presented to the user.

The Billing and Remuneration Engine 38 is also configured to calculatehow much remuneration to provide to the entities involved in presentingthe information and/or partaking in the presented information. Theseentities may include, a VU, a service provider, the user viewing theinformation, etc. The amount of remuneration remitted to an entity canbe based on the amount billed to the business providing information tothe users. For example, in embodiments, the remuneration provided to aVU or service provider is a percentage of the amount billed to thebusiness that is presenting the information to the user. Theremuneration may be equally distributed between one or more entities ordistributed unequally according to predetermined agreements.

Additional systems may also be included in the Management System 30. Forexample, the Management System 30 can further include an InformationBuffer Engine 40, which is configured to queue information obtained fromthe Insertion Resolution Engine 34 in a buffer or cache. This buffer orcache may be located on a user's computer or in the storage system 22B.Embodiments may also place the buffer or cache in other locations thatprovide quick access to information when a VU has high bandwidth orcomputation loads. The information in the buffer or cache can be updatedor refreshed at different times, such as when a user starts a VU, exitsa VU, is idle in the VU, etc. Additionally, information can also bestored in the buffer or cache when the user is not participating in theVU. The information in the buffer or cache can be queued until a contentbreakpoint occurs, at which point a VU client accesses the InformationDefinition Engine 36 and presents the information to a user 16 via theI/O device 28.

For example, when a user logs into a VU the Information Buffer Engine 40can queue information on the user's computer cache. The cachedinformation can be random and/or associated with areas the user's avatarhas frequented, items in the avatars inventory, teleportation locations,etc. The amount of information stored in the cache can vary betweenembodiments and depends on how frequently the user 16 encounters contentbreakpoints, the size of the information presented to the user 16 and/orthe user's average bandwidth, etc.

The computing device 14 includes a processor 20, the memory 22A, aninput/output (I/O) interface 24, and a bus 26. The memory 22A caninclude local memory employed during actual execution of program code,bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of atleast some program code in order to reduce the number of times code mustbe retrieved from bulk storage during execution. For example, the memorycan provide local memory employed during execution of the program codesfor engines 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40.

Further, the computing device 14 is in communication with an externalI/O device/resource 28 and the storage system 22B. For example, the I/Odevice 28 can comprise any device that enables an individual to interactwith the computing device 14 or any device that enables the computingdevice 14 to communicate with one or more other computing devices usingany type of communications link. The external I/O device/resource 28 maybe keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.

In general, the processor 20 executes computer program code, which isstored in the memory 22A and/or storage system 22B. While executingcomputer program code, the processor 20 can read and/or write datato/from memory 22A, storage system 22B, and/or I/O interface 24. The bus26 provides a communications link between each of the components in thecomputing device 14.

The computing device 14 can comprise any general purpose computingarticle of manufacture capable of executing computer program codeinstalled thereon (e.g., a personal computer, server, handheld device,etc.). However, it is understood that the computing device 14 is onlyrepresentative of various possible equivalent computing devices that mayperform the processes described herein. To this extent, in embodiments,the functionality provided by the computing device 14 can be implementedby a computing article of manufacture that includes any combination ofgeneral and/or specific purpose hardware and/or computer program code.In each embodiment, the program code and hardware can be created usingstandard programming and engineering techniques, respectively.

Similarly, the server 12 is only illustrative of various types ofcomputer infrastructures for implementing the invention. For example, inembodiments, the server 12 comprises two or more computing devices(e.g., a server cluster) that communicate over any type ofcommunications link, such as a network, a shared memory, or the like, toperform the process described herein. Further, while performing theprocesses described herein, one or more computing devices on the server12 can communicate with one or more other computing devices external tothe server 12 using any type of communications link. The communicationslink can comprise any combination of wired and/or wireless links; anycombination of one or more types of networks (e.g., the Internet, a widearea network, a local area network, a virtual private network, etc.);and/or utilize any combination of transmission techniques and protocols.

In embodiments, the invention provides a business method that performsthe steps of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or feebasis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to perform the processes described herein. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, deploy, support, etc., a computerinfrastructure that performs the process steps of the invention for oneor more customers. In return, the service provider can receive paymentfrom the customer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement and/orthe service provider can receive payment from the sale of advertisingcontent to one or more third parties.

Exemplary Implementation of the System of the Invention

FIG. 2 is flow diagram implementing steps of the invention, which may beimplemented in the environment of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 may equally represent ahigh-level block diagram of the invention. The steps of FIG. 2 may beimplemented and executed from either a server, in a client serverrelationship, or they may run on a user workstation (which can begenerally represented in FIG. 1) with operative information conveyed tothe user workstation to allow information to be presented to a userduring content breakpoints. Additionally, the invention can take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodimentor an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements.

In an embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, whichincludes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode,etc. Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer programproduct accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable mediumproviding program code for use by or in connection with a computer orany instruction execution system. The software and/or computer programproduct can be implemented in the environment of FIG. 1, as should beunderstood and capable of implementation by those of skill in the art.For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computerreadable medium can be any apparatus that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or apropagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include asemiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computerdiskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), arigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of opticaldisks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compactdisk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.

FIG. 2 illustrates steps for implementing aspects of the presentinvention. The process begins by detecting whether a content breakpointhas been encountered, at step 110. The process of detecting a contentbreakpoint may be performed by the Placement System, which is configuredto detect content breakpoints by, e.g., tracking the amount of time anavatar has been idle or in a wait state, ascertaining whether a certainevent has occurred, such as a login, logoff, or teleportation, etc. ThePlacement System may utilize any number of additional processes,engines, and/or systems, such as a Teleportation System, to detectcontent breakpoints.

If a content breakpoint is detected, a list of information is generatedto target a user, at step 120. The information can be in the form ofadvertisements, announcements, facts, questions, instructions, etc. Thegeneration of the list of targeted information can be performed by theInsertion Resolution Engine or the Insertion Resolution Engine inconjunction with a storage system or database, e.g., 22B. For example,data obtained from the storage system or database, such as what objectsan avatar has in inventory, may be used by the Insertion ResolutionEngine to determine what information may be relevant to the user. Thisinformation may then be provided in a list for further use by theprocesses described herein.

Once a list of information is generated, the list can be prioritized, atstep 130. The prioritizing can be performed by the Insertion ResolutionEngine using information obtained from the storage system or database.Prioritizing may be preformed by analyzing user preferences, availablecomputational resources, the success of previously presentedinformation, the amount of remuneration associated with information,etc.

One or more pieces of information can be presented to a user using theInformation Definition Engine, at step 140. The source of theinformation can vary between embodiments. For example, embodiments canpresent information from a prioritized list or a non-prioritized list tothe user. Embodiments may also present information to the user from anInformation Buffer Engine, which includes a queue of cached or bufferedinformation. The cached or buffered information may include randominformation, prioritized information, and/or non-prioritized informationfrom the Insertion Resolution Engine.

After the one or more pieces of information have been presented to theuser, the business providing the information can be billed and/or theremuneration can be distributed to one or more entities, at step 150.The billing and remuneration processes can be performed by the Billingand Remuneration System. The amount a business is billed may depend on,e.g., the type of information being presented to the user, and the typeof business presenting the information, agreed upon fee structures, etc.The amount of remuneration distributed to each entity may depend onexisting agreements established between the parties involved in thetransaction.

While FIG. 2 includes multiple processes, it should be understood bythose skilled in the art that all of the processes do not need to beutilized. For example, random information that does not target aspecific avatar can be presented to a user, thereby eliminating steps120 and 130. Furthermore, embodiments may opt not to include the billingand remuneration processes or may only include a single feature of thebilling and remuneration process, such as the billing component.

It should also be understood by those skilled in the art that additionalprocesses may be included in the present invention. Exemplary processesmay include, for example: allowing a user to opt out of viewinginformation during content breakpoints; permitting a user to specifywhat kind of information should be presented during content breakpoints;allowing a user to skip information once the information has started tobe presented; and/or re-presenting information to the user; etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the present invention.More specifically, FIG. 3 includes avatars 205 and 210, which areteleporting from a first location 220 to a second location 230. Whilewaiting for the features of the second location to load, the avatars 205and 210 encounter a content breakpoint 240 during which information ispresented to the avatars 205 and 210. Depending on the embodiment, thepresented information may be the same for each avatar 205 and 210,partially the same, or completely different.

For example, suppose avatars 205 and 210 both work at a virtualtechnology company and decide to attend a technology conferencetogether. To get to the technology conference the avatars 205, 210 canteleport from a first location 220, their offices, to a second location230, the conference center. While teleporting, it takes time for theconference center to load. During this downtime, i.e., contentbreakpoint 240, information can be presented to the avatars 205 and 210while they wait for the new location 230 to load.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, avatars 205 and 210 can be presented with thesame information or different information during content breakpoints240. For example, the avatar 205 teleporting from the technology companymay be presented with an advertisement 250 for a new computer processoror an advertisement for a new car. This advertisement 250 may runthroughout the entire content breakpoint 240 or a fraction of thecontent breakpoint 240. Additionally, embodiments may allow theadvertisement 250 to run beyond the content breakpoint 240, i.e., afterthe new location has finished loading. This may be permitted, e.g., toallow an advertisement to finish running.

The avatar 210 teleporting from the same technology company may bepresented with completely different information during the contentbreakpoint 240. For example, while teleporting, the avatar 210 can bepresented with facts 260 and 265 about the weather at the conferencecenter, the number of people already at the conference, etc. These facts260 and 265 can appear at the same time on different portions of thescreen, on different screens, or on the same screen at different times.As well as being presented with facts 260 and 265, additional types ofinformation may also be presented to the avatar 210 during the contentbreakpoint 240. For example, after presenting the facts 260 and 265, ascreen may be displayed that allows the avatar 210 to choose the type ofinformation the avatar 210 wants to see and/or hear. This information270 may include an advertisement, a survey, an announcement, etc. Eachtype of information 270 can be represented in a tabbed format, whichallows the avatar 210 to select which piece of information 270 theavatar 210 would like displayed.

The type of information presented to the avatars 205 and 210 can bebased on the individual avatar's teleportation history, inventory, oreven user preferences. For example, a user may indicate a preferencetoward viewing advertisements about software and hardware productsduring content breakpoints. Embodiments also permit users to opt out ofhaving information presented to them during content breakpoints.

While the invention has been described in terms of embodiments, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practicedwith modifications and in the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a placement engine to detecta content breakpoint within a virtual universe; an insertion resolutionengine configured to: create a list of information based on a firstlocation of an avatar and a location the avatar is teleporting to;prioritize the list of information based on preferences as to a type ofinformation a user wants to be presented with; and present theprioritized information to the user within the virtual universe; aninformation definition engine configured to present the prioritizedinformation to the user of the virtual universe during the contentbreakpoint as detected by the placement engine; and a computing devicecomprising a processor that executes at least one of the placementengine, the insertion resolution engine, and the information definitionengine, wherein the list of prioritized information is further based onan avatar's history of frequenting a type of store within the virtualuniverse and information about new items available at the type of storewithin the virtual universe, sale items at the type of store within thevirtual universe, and additional store locations at the type of storewithin the virtual universe.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the listof information comprises one or more of an advertisement, anannouncement, a fact, a question, and an instruction, and the contentbreakpoint is defined as at least one of a login process, a logoffprocess, a teleportation, a wait state, and during any point where theuser changes information streams in the virtual universe.
 3. The systemof claim 1, further comprising an information buffer engine configuredto queue the prioritized information in a buffer or a cache.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a billing engine configured tobill one or more entities for providing the list of information to theuser.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remuneration engineconfigured to provide remuneration to one or more of the virtualuniverse, a service provider, and the user, based on an amount billed toan information provider.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theinformation definition engine is further configured to present the userwith one or more pieces of information of the list of information at asame time in a tabbed list so that the user can select specificinformation the user wants to view, wherein the tabbed list providesdetails on the one or more pieces of information of the list ofinformation, and the list of prioritized information is further based ona history of past information presented to the user and how successfulthe past information presented to the user has been.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the information definition engine is further configuredto prompt the user to select a type of information the user wants to bepresented with.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the prioritizedinformation is presented to the user in a pop-up window outside thevirtual universe.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the list ofprioritized information is further based on one or more objects withinthe avatar's inventory.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the list ofprioritized information is further based on the avatar's teleportationhistory.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the list of prioritizedinformation is further based on the avatar's history of frequenting aspecific type of area within the virtual universe.
 12. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the prioritized information is presented to the userwithin a virtual universe (VU) frame below a primary viewing area. 13.The system of claim 1, wherein the prioritized information beingpresented to the user of the virtual universe during the contentbreakpoint is an advertisement.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein theprioritized information includes multiple pieces of information whichare presented to the user of the virtual universe at different locationson a screen of the user.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein theprioritized information includes multiple pieces of information whichare presented consecutively on a screen of the user.